Been a good break over xmas and the likes, but ready to get back to work (apologies for falling off the beat battles and the likes - i work on a PC so when i break from work i avoid them like the plague!)

Went to sample some drums from my break collection into a new Akai s900 i picked up on my xmas break, but noticed i have misplaced a few plates.

I have three sections, hiphop records, break records / drum breaks and SAMPLES........this worked for a while, but i now have a ever growing collection of samples and im curious.

I sort my records pretty much the same way as shaky finch, but I keep the records that I haven't sampled out on the side until I do so then I file them in with the rest. I also have a junk pile of records that had nothing I wanted to sample or the ones that are just complete trashed (warped or scratched all to hell).

so do you guys alphabetize those sub-categories as well? i started out just straight up alphabetizing all my records, but as you can imagine that got very tedious after a while. it seems weird to go from A-Z for one genre, then A-Z all over again for another; but it seems to make it a whole lot easier for archiving and storage...so idk. all i do know is that next week i'm going to IKEA to get me a shelving unit finally.

I keep everything straight alphabetical by artist (if I have multiple releases of same artist I put in order from earliest release to most recent) and keep an excel spreadsheet of everything. In my spreadsheet I put Artist, Album, Release date and whether or not it's a reissue, Label, Catalog Number, and lastly, what genre(s) I consider it and what types of samples are on it. If there's a drum break I'll put break, if it's a nice piano solo, I'll put piano. I also sticky note records labeling what samples and what tracks on which side have said samples. Records I haven't listened to, I keep on a seperate shelf and add them to the official collecion when I am familiar with the sounds and samples.

I used to do genres but realized it was dumb becuase I'd forget where I put what because lots of albums have elements of multiple genres. I'm thinking of redoing it by label becasue it looks dope when they're lined up and it'll get me even more familiar with what labels are my favorite and what years/artists/credited performers/instruments I'm looking for.

Right now I have a 2x2 Expedit shelf, one is ST records (basically full), one + half for new records, half for old/used/$1 bin stuff, and last one for box sets. Actually got a 1x1 Expedit as well to put recent purchases.

When I finally get my records from home to my new place I'm gonna get a 4x4 and organize a bit differently, probably by genre at that point.

There's no rhyme or reason behind my record organization process. I enjoy being able to pull some random shit. I used to organize first by style of music and then in alphabetical order, but nowadays it's random

I sort my records pretty much the same way as shaky finch, but I keep the records that I haven't sampled out on the side until I do so then I file them in with the rest. I also have a junk pile of records that had nothing I wanted to sample or the ones that are just complete trashed (warped or scratched all to hell).

oh yeah sorry i have a 'new in section' haha, go through it all before filing away

I'll keep doing what i do i think, if anything, i'll sort the entire lot by Alphabet as i agree with orchidthegreat - i know one day i'll stick something in a soul section and realise its got phyc parts or vice versa - then not be able to find it.

Expedit units are the shit!!

I filled up my 4x4 and just copped a 2x2 for my hiphop / breaks / new records...

I'm thinking of redoing it by label becasue it looks dope when they're lined up

I just moved and I was thinking of trying this. I was also considering putting each label in chronological order instead of alphabetical.

Also, how do you guys sort Madlib albums, specifically YNQ and the YU solo artists works or OJ Simpson? I keep separate sections for my favorite artists but feel like I need another copy of Madvillany to complete the DOOM section.

What other alphabetical exceptions do you make? Do the JBs and James Brown go next to each other?

for the IKEA Expedit shelves, did any of you guys purchase them with the castors?
i've been considering getting those add-ons, in the event that my basement floods-- i want those extra few inches just in case. what do you guys think? can they support that kind of weight?

I just moved and I was thinking of trying this. I was also considering putting each label in chronological order instead of alphabetical.

Also, how do you guys sort Madlib albums, specifically YNQ and the YU solo artists works or OJ Simpson? I keep separate sections for my favorite artists but feel like I need another copy of Madvillany to complete the DOOM section.

What other alphabetical exceptions do you make? Do the JBs and James Brown go next to each other?

I file artists under where I think it belongs. YNQ, is Madlib, so it would likely be filed in Madlib. Same with JBs/James Brown. Chronologiacl order is my favorite way to go. I like moving forward through an artists career and see how their intrepretation of music changes with time.

@James Frank. You gonna need another one soon. I started out with crates like you, and then a nice 2x4 Expedit just like that, and now things are out simply of hand.

I file artists under where I think it belongs. YNQ, is Madlib, so it would likely be filed in Madlib. Same with JBs/James Brown. Chronologiacl order is my favorite way to go. I like moving forward through an artists career and see how their intrepretation of music changes with time.

@James Frank. You gonna need another one soon. I started out with crates like you, and then a nice 2x4 Expedit just like that, and now things are out simply of hand.

i think i've still got a ways to go...i still haven't even listened to a good 50% of the records i already have. easily could make several projects just from what i have now.

for the IKEA Expedit shelves, did any of you guys purchase them with the castors?i've been considering getting those add-ons, in the event that my basement floods-- i want those extra few inches just in case. what do you guys think? can they support that kind of weight?

Been wondering about this too. Think I'm gonna pass on them though given the weight of records plus it costs a bit more

This is what my collection looks like at my new place lol, need to pick up a 4x2 Expedit myself (and a bunch of furniture, place is empty/ghetto right now)